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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi in Muscat on Wednesday, according to Arab News. The two reviewed close relations between their countries and explored avenues to enhance cooperation in support of mutual interests and greater Gulf integration. Arab News reported that the ministers stressed the need to protect the security of international waterways, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and advocated resolving disputes through dialogue to bolster regional stability.
The meeting occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions over the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of the U.S.-Iran war, a New York Times assessment found. Oman and Iran had formed a joint working group in June 2026 to discuss future administration of navigation through the waterway and associated costs in line with international standards, Al-Monitor reported from a joint statement. Omani Foreign Minister Al-Busaidi has distinguished between illegal transit fees and potential charges for services such as safety and pollution control, according to an interview cited in the New York Times.
Saudi Arabia has consistently called for a return to the pre-war status of unrestricted navigation in the strait, Arab News reported from recent cabinet statements. Prince Faisal bin Farhan previously stated that the waterway should revert to its prior operational framework without novel arrangements imposed by conflict, a position echoed in a European Council on Foreign Relations event covered by the New York Times. The Saudi cabinet separately reaffirmed the importance of restoring freedom of navigation to strengthen both regional and global security, according to an Arab News dispatch from mid-June.
Discussions in Muscat also addressed joint strategic projects, Arab News reported from details of the visit. These included progress on a land border crossing as well as collaboration in transport networks and logistics to facilitate greater connectivity. The ministers further examined opportunities to expand economic, trade and investment ties, including through public-private partnerships across multiple sectors.
The talks highlighted ongoing coordination between Riyadh and Muscat on broader regional and international issues of shared concern, according to the Arab News account. Both sides emphasized support for stability through peaceful means and collective Gulf action within established frameworks. Prince Faisal arrived in the Omani capital accompanied by Saudi Ambassador Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishaan, Arab News noted in its coverage of the reception.
Oman’s strategic position at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz has positioned it as a key interlocutor in maritime security matters, a Congressional Research Service report on Omani policy observed. The sultanate has maintained its role in regional mediation efforts even amid recent disruptions, building on longstanding defense partnerships that include the United States. The latest Saudi-Omani meeting reflects continued diplomatic engagement aimed at addressing the waterway’s vulnerabilities exposed during the spring conflict.
